Thoma wasn't kidding when he said listening to Professor Morax wouldn't get old. Everyone in the class, including myself, was entranced by the way his low voice carried across the lecture hall.

"And that concludes the syllabus portion of today's class." He finished up with the introduction and surveyed the room. "Are there any questions?"

A few moments passed with no hands being raised.

Professor Morax cleared his throat before proceeding. "Well then, please open up your textbooks to chapter one. It's time for an overview of Teyvat's history, starting with Mondstadt. The City of Mond, also known as the City of Freedom, was once ruled under a great tyrant. Actually, I know of a tale that a friend of mine once relayed through a song."

The rest of the lecture continued with Professor Morax reciting legends and myths that originated from Mondstadt. A quick glance at my textbook revealed that we were supposed to be going over the tyrant's bloodlines and the dynamics of nobility factions.

"Speaking of Dvalin, there also existed a dragon that terrorized Mondstadt. That dragon's name was Durin. If one of you souls happens to cross through Dragonspine, you might come across Durin's remains and—ah, it would appear we have run out of time for today."

Professor Morax regarded the clock that hung on the wall. "Actually, I may have gone a bit over time. My apologies. Please keep in mind there will be a brief assessment at the end of the week to measure your knowledge of the topics we've discussed. You are dismissed."

Students rustled their belongings and ushered to the door. Carefully stowing away my notes—which consisted of an unfinished sketch of the Wolf of the North that Professor Morax had gone into detail about—I pulled out my schedule for the last time today.

Horticulture with Professor Baizhu. All the way across campus.

I thanked Professor Morax for the lecture on my way out and quickly descended the staircase. The crowd of students going to their next class was beginning to thin out by the time I made it outside. Luckily, I had the stamina to spare after sitting through two classes with no physical activity.

I spotted the apothecary's shiny dome and the greenhouse that hid behind it. According to my schedule notes, the Horticulture building was not far off.

"Lumine, over here!" someone shouted from behind and I turned to find Xiangling running up to greet me. "Do you have Horticulture now by any chance?"

"Yup. Though, I may be running a bit late. You too?"

"Mhm, I sort of got lost on the way here. C'mon! There's still some time left. I'm sure Professor Baizhu wouldn't mind. It's the first day, after all."

Together, we entered the building and found the classroom. It was set up with tables instead of lecture seats, each sitting two students, and nearly all of them were filled.

"A couple of latecomers we have," a man—I assumed the professor—at the front of the class said. "No worries, it is the first day. Find an empty seat, we were just beginning."

"See? I told you," Xiangling whispered to me and we found a table with two seats open. "He seems like a very nice and practical guy."

"Announcement for everyone," Professor Baizhu clapped his hands together. "After today, I will not tolerate any tardiness in my class. Horticulture may seem like nothing but silly plants to some, but the work we do here is important. What you learn here may one day be advantageous in a dire situation. If you are late to class, I will deduct one letter off of your final grade. No exceptions."

Xiangling gulped beside me.

Professor Baizhu hummed. "Now, where were we?"

"You were about to pass out today's observation materials," a sly voice responded.

It was then that I noticed that the thin, white scarf draped around his shoulders was no scarf at all. It was a snake. A snake that could talk. A talking snake.

"Ah, right," he nodded and gathered some materials from inside his desk and began to disperse them to the class. "Each table will receive a book, magnifying glass, and a bundle of blooming flora that can be found in Teyvat. After you are done inspecting your item, please pass it on to the next group in a clockwise formation. Be gentle with your specimens."

Professor Baizhu placed two items on our table, one horticulture guide and a box labeled Small Lamp Grass. Xiangling was the first to reach inside, pulling out the buds and a magnifying glass.

"Oh! I know what these are. I use these Small Lamp Grass all the time in my cooking. They're really good for enhancing other flavors."

She held up the stems of the plant for me to see.

"It looks like it's glowing a little." I took the magnifying glass and examined its veins.

"They do! At night.".

"Make sure you are taking notes of each plant," Professor Baizhu added. "There will be a quiz at the end of this week."

"I can do the notes for this one." Xiangling grabbed a pen. "You can keep looking."

After the Small Lamp Grass came Calla Lilies, which Xiangling was also familiar with.

"You can find these near water," she recited and I copied her words onto paper. "I've gotten a fair share of socks wet collecting them. Their petals get rather chunky after cooking, but the sweet and bitter flavor is so unique!"

Next came Snapdragon.

"They make for an excellent spice."

And then, Sweet Flower.

"I extract the sugars for my desserts!"

Some Mint.

"These are everywhere," I commented. "I can name more places with Mint than places without."

Eventually, there came plants that neither Xiangling nor I were familiar with, so we consulted the horticulture guide. One flower in particular had bright crimson petals curling outward with leaves that matched in coloring.

"Hm," I flipped through the guide. "I think this one might be Dendrobruim."

Xiangling nodded. "Looks like it. The description says it blooms the most where blood has been spilled. How creepy is that?"

"It's pretty, though. Do you think it's this red because of the blood?"

"I wonder what flavor it could add to a dish." She sniffed it.

"Please refrain from eating the specimens." Professor Baizhu looked right at my partner. "We have a limited supply."

Her face bloomed pink. "I wasn't going to eat it."

"Are you sure?" I teased. "It sure looked like you were just about to."

"Not in class. Maybe another time when I pick my own sample."

I chuckled before letting it go, and we finished observing the rest of the plants. Horticulture went by quite fast, and we filled our notes with the important details as things wrapped up.

"I can't believe we have an upcoming quiz for this class," I sighed. "I've got two other quizzes at the end of the week too. Vision Studies and History."

"Not good at studying?"

"I prefer studying the blade." I looked out the window and thought of Physical Combat. "Oh right, I won't be seeing you in Physical Combat tomorrow. Professor Xiao moved me up a level."

"Really? I can't say I'm surprised. You were fighting like a pro."

"My quite literal strong suit."

"Class is dismissed. Return your items to my desk," Professor Baizhu announced curtly. "And remember, no more tardies."

We both nodded sharply at the comment directed toward us and swiftly left the room with the rest of the students.

"Did you hear the talking snake?" Xiangling's eyes widened as soon as we were outside. "How crazy is that?"

"Okay, so I'm not the only one who was surprised by that. Do you think it was born that way? Or maybe it was taught?"

"Who cares about that?" Her eyes gleamed. "I wonder if a talking snake tastes better than the regular ones."

"You can't seriously be thinking about eating the professor's pet."

She shook her head unconvincingly. "Nah, nope, no way. I definitely won't be getting to class extra early from now on to swipe some scales."

"Alright, go to the dining halls and eat something before you do something crazy."

"Do you want to join?" Xiangling wiggled her eyebrows. "I hear they have Jueyen Chili Chicken on the menu!"

"Maybe some other time. I need to rest a bit. It's been a long day."

"Sure thing, see you later!" She waved goodbye and we went our separate ways.

I had initially planned on heading directly to the dorms so I could lie in bed for a while. There was already an ache beginning to settle in my body. But as I crossed through the main courtyard of Celestia and passed by the administrative building, I remembered there was one person who I hadn't gotten a chance to have a talk with yet.

Katheryne.

It took a few wrong turns and winding hallways to get to the secretary's office, but I eventually found it. The door was closed, so I softly knocked and waited for a moment.

"Come in," a feminine voice came from behind the wood.

Turning the knob, I took in the room that was both tidy and cozy. A coffee table and upholstered chairs sat in the corner by a collection of bookshelves and office cabinets, and stacks of papers lined the desk in the middle of the room where Katheryne sat.

"Miss Lumine," she smiled. "How wonderful for you to stop by. Have you enjoyed your first day at Celestia Academy?"

"My classes have been eventful. I'm really glad to see you again, Katheryne. It's been such a long time."

"You've grown to be a beautiful young woman." She gestured to one of the chairs. "Please have a seat. There is much work to be done in the office with the year kicking off, but I can spare some time to chat with you."

"When did you leave the orphanage?" I settled in and she took the seat next to me. "I thought you loved spending time with the kids."

"It wasn't long after you and your brother were adopted," she said thoughtfully. "I'd been at the orphanage for a long time, and the Academy reached out in request for my skills. I've had some time managing an adventurer's guild, you know. Nevermind that. I felt it was time for a change. Why the solemn look on your face?"

"Huh?" I relaxed my slight frown. "Oh, sorry. I guess hearing someone mention Aether is a bit, well, I'm not sure how to put it."

She lifted a hand to her chest. "Is it a heavy feeling, right here?"

"I…yeah I guess it is. I miss him."

"If it is any consolation, know that your brother is doing well."

"What?" my heart skipped a beat. "Do you know where he is? Who adopted him?"

"My apologies, but I cannot say much else on the subject." Katheryne shook her head. "I may no longer be employed by the orphanage, but I am still under contract to not divulge any details of adoptees. It is for security reasons."

"I understand," I sighed. "But you said he is doing well. In the present tense. Surely you can say something to that."

"There have been recent," she hesitated before finding a word. "Circumstances. Of which I also cannot speak of."

"Why not? He's my brother. I should have the right to know."

"It is not in my place to say." She shook her head once more. "It is up to higher powers."

Higher powers? I frowned and stared hard at Katheryne. It was difficult to not be upset with her. Why would she tell me about Aether in the first place if she wasn't allowed to say anything else? Why even bother?

Aether is doing well.

My heart warmed and I thought about what that meant. I thought about why Katheryne would even know about him presently at all. Could it be that he also attends Celestia Academy? Possibilities and scenarios began popping into my mind, and I found a new goal to achieve in addition to passing my classes.

"Thank you, Katheryne." I smiled at her and stood. "Again, it's been wonderful to see you."

"I hope you find Celestia suitable, Miss Lumine. Good luck."

best of luck to everyone wishing for itto and gorou :D I have no built geo characters, but not for long